There has been a lot of news recently about ‘Mindfulness’ and its benefits so I thought I would write a little about its history and and an overview of how it works. Mindfulness does not suit or work for everyone but I think it is important to understand the scientific basis of Mindfulness and that the reasons for referring patients with chronic pain.
Mindfulness is not new, its roots are based on Buddhist traditions and meditation practices which have been combined with modern psychological approaches. In 1979 Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn first developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School to help treat patients with chronic pain. His MBSR programs were so successful in helping these patients reduce their pain and improve their overall functioning, mobility and mental distress that these programs were expanded and integrated into cognitive and behavioural approaches.
Neuroscientists have since scientifically proven the links between Mindfulness and the brains production of hormones and chemicals that impact on our physical health. Functional MRI studies have shown that practicing Mindfulness can alter the activity of 8 different regions of the brain. These parts of the brain specifically control fear and emotional responses to pain. By controlling the responses and release of brain chemical in such areas of the brain, Mindfulness may lessen the emotional experience to pain.
- The fMRI images on the left show brain activity in a patient suffering with chronic pain BEFORE mindfulness
- The images in the middle are of the same patients brain activity in the pain areas AFTER a 4-day course of mindfulness
- The images on the right are of a patient in no pain at all (a control)
Mindfulness is not only used to treat Chronic Pain
Furthermore, Mindfulness can affect the parasympathetic nervous system and lower a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, muscle tension and therefore reduce the stress this causes the body. By reducing persistent stress on the body, Mindfulness can help reduce the risk of:
- Heart problems
- High Blood pressure
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Chronic Fatigue
- Mental Health problems
- Bowel Disorders
- Diabetes
In summary, scientists have shown that mindfulness can control certain areas of the brain and effect its structure and function as well as changes in behaviour. As a result, Mindfulness can have a positive effect on our thoughts and feelings, hence reducing fear and pain and improving a persons wellbeing. And all this is without drugs.
